The Luck Uglies audiobook

Got this one early from the publisher for a possible blurb and was kind of expecting not to read it because I was freaking out about school and other silly things at the time. Buuuut then I picked it up anyway and I completely loved it. I don't remember what I wrote in the blurb exactly, but it was something along the lines of "funny and action-y and magical" and that's what this book is. Also, awesome and light-hearted and original. Also, MG, which is always good. You should read it. :)

Originally published on my blog: Views from the Tesseracthttp://shanshad1.wordpress.com/2014/0... I don’t often open reviews with the first line, but in this case, I think it’s my favorite first line of the year so far.“Rye and her two friends had never intended to steal the banned book from the Angry Poet–they’d just hoped to read it.”First lines are like the first bite of food in a meal. They give you an instant impression of what the book will be like, sound like and feel like. While a great first line does guarantee a great book, a good first line can be quite a boon to a book. The moment I read this line I found myself relaxing into the story, recognizing I was in for a fun and furious ride. The Luck Uglies is a fantastic adventure of urban fantasy for middle grade readers that welcomes its audience in and brings readers along the rooftops and down into the tunnels and everywhere in between. Delicious, filling, and has got me asking for seconds!Rye O’Chanter and her family live in the town of Drowning, a placed ruled by the oppressive and petty Earl Longchance. Rye’s nature is such that she cares nothing for the Earl’s laws (such as the one about women not reading) and is more than willing to break such rules–especially when there’s a chance to read a book that the Earl has banned. But now trouble has come back to Drowning. Monsters known as Bog Noblins have returned to the town, and pose a danger to everyone. Rye knows only the legendary Luck Uglies can defeat these monsters–but even if she finds this notorious secret society, will they help Drowning this time?Sometimes names in a book are simply there and the readers won’t particularly note or notice them. Other times the names clash or wind up feeling inappropriate for the character or book. In rare instances, a book can take the names and run with them. Paul Durham’s book manages to succeed with names on a level I’ve only seen with a few other authors–including my personal favorite, Terry Pratchett. Let me just list a few of the names for characters and places you’ll find in the book: Morningwig Long Chance, The Dead Fish Inn, Bog Noblins, Rye O’Chanter, Harmless, Folly Flood. In another book, the names would feel out of place, oddly comical. Here they fit and light up the text, giving it character and a sense of earthy whimsy.For a debut story this is great stuff. Heck, it’s great stuff no matter what. Vividly drawn characters and a setting that is as much a character in its own right. Interestingly, this is also a family story of sorts. Granted, Rye’s family is a very odd one indeed, but that just makes it more of a reading adventure. In some ways this tale remains fairly straight forward, our worst villain is obvious from the start–there’s no gray area when it comes to Earl Longchance, he’s as nasty as Prince Humperdink. While I think the adventure and fun of the tale are firmly middle grade, there is some rather startling violence in the story. (for instance, a man getting his arm bitten off) that might be a bit much for some readers. Despite the light-hearted feel of the story there is still some truly frightening stuff going on.For all that, it’s going to be the characters that win out for me. Especially Rye’s toddler sister, Lottie who seems to have a dangerous love of swords and pointy objects. This story is presented up front as the first in a trilogy and I for one will be looking forward to the next volume!Read-alikes:Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (HarperCollins, 2003)Goblins by Philip Reeve (Scholastic, 2013)The Vengekeep Prophecies by Brian Farrey (HarperCollins, 2012)Note: An advanced reader copy was provided by the publisher.

It's been a while since a book pulled me through itself as rapidly as Paul Durham's The Luck Uglies. Lately, I've been reading a lot of material because I felt that I ought to, or needed to know about it, or required it for research. I have been wanted to get to The Luck Uglies since I first spotted Petur Antonsson's wonderful cover, but as time wore on, I was worried that it wouldn't hold up. I needn't have. The book starts beautifully--with a rooftop chase--and it's all uphill from there!Durham has done a magnificent job constructing the fictional world of Village Drowning and has peopled it with a wonderful cast of characters. 11 year old Rye O'Chanter lives by a set of rhyming rules, rules which don't quite mesh with the law as laid down by Earl Morningwig Longchance. When Rye accidentally breaks one of hers, she has an encounter with a horrifying creature. It seems the Bog Noblins have returned! Unfortunately, the Earl has driven out the only group capable of defeating them, the mysterious and possibly criminal Luck Uglies. Rye sets off to learn about the truth about Luck Uglies, though the answers are closer to home than she could have predicted.This is a delightful fantasy adventure set in a quasi-medieval village, light on the magic but high on the adventure, that digs deeper than the usual good verses evil dichotomies to ask questions about the nature of monsters and outcasts. The world building is top notch, the pace brisk, the balance of humor and tension perfect, and the pay off most satisfying. If I have any quibbles, they're not worth sharing. It's been too long since I enjoyed a work this much. Highly recommended for kids and adults alike. I started my son on it the day after I finished, and he loves it as well! I preordered The Luck Uglies #2: Fork-Tongue Charmers immediately upon reading THE END. It can't get here soon enough.

I picked up this book the other night for my son, the cover art looked just like something he would choose. He however is busy finishing a different book and I needed something to read so I began to read it...and finish it...in less than 24 hours. Yes, the laundry was calling to me but it could wait

I normally don't read tween books, but this one caught my attention on our libraries website. I requested this along with 3 others. I have to admit. I really enjoyed this. Great action to hold a young adults attention and leaving them wanting more. I don't know if I will follow up with the rest of the series, but this is a great start.

Received this early from the publishers and found it to be an original fantastical read . Loved the characters set in a world of dark secrets , strange creatures, danger and adventure. Suitable for young teens and anyone else who loves a good tale Looking forward to reading more :)

„Die Ungeheuerlichen – Das Böse ist auf deiner Seite“ von Paul Durham ist ein Buch für junge Leser ab 11 Jahren. Das würde ich so ebenfalls beurteilen. Es ist ein spannendes Abenteuer mit einer wirklich unheimlich neugierigen Protagonistin, die es faustdick hinter den Ohren hat aber auch ein großes Herz besitzt und eine ganze Menge Mut beweist. Obwohl es ein Buch für eher junge Leser ist hat mir hier die gesamte mittelalterliche Szenerie sehr gefallen und die Geschichte rund um Mythen, Monster und der Gemeinschaft rund um die Ungeheuerlichen fand ich toll mit Riley und ihrer familiären Geschichte und eben der Situation rund um ihre Heimatstadt Morderfurt inszeniert und umgesetzt. Für mich persönlich war dieses Buch eine wirklich runde, spannende und abenteuerliche Geschichte mit einem richtig tollen setting und einer kleinen Heldin, die ich einfach lieb gewonnen habe!

Bursting with adventure, charming fantasy elements, plucky characters, and irresistible wit, The Luck Uglies is a fantastically fun first book in Paul Durham’s debut middle-grade trilogy!Eleven year old Rye O’Chanter doesn’t really believe in the nasty, man-eating Bog Noblins...until she has a terrifying encounter with one. Now, Village Drowning is in danger from these devilish beasts, and their only hope may lie in their biggest outlaws: the Luck Uglies. A band of rogue “criminals”, who saved the village from the last Bog Noblin attack, the Luck Uglies have been banished by the greedy Earl Longchance. But with the appearance of a mysterious stranger called Harmless, Rye discovers there’s more to the Luck Uglies, Bog Noblins, and maybe even her own family.The Luck Uglies was such a delightfully exciting page-turner! Paul Durham has spun a wholly captivating and engaging story that young readers won’t be able to put down. Gruesome beasts, thrilling outlaws, secret tunnels, frightening dungeons, enchantments, oh my! This book has it all and then some!Fast-paced and full of breathtaking action and chills, this is an easy book to devour. Durham weaves together familiar fantasy elements, smart sparkling storytelling, and unforgettable characters to create something truly magical. With an enchanting voice and whimsical atmosphere, The Luck Uglies captures that special something middle-grade readers crave. Village Drowning appears, at first, like an ordinary medieval village, but holds many enthralling, surprising, and kooky secrets. With wildly fun street/store/place names and eccentric inhabitants, Village Drowning makes for a wonderful setting. I loved traversing the village’s streets (and roofs and hidden underground passages!) with Rye and her friends. Durham’s large cast of characters provide endless entertainment! From the heroic to the outlandish, from the endearing to fun to hate, from the laugh-out-loud funny to the entirely unexpected, there’s so much to love about these eclectic band of characters. Rye is the perfect mix of fun, clever, compassionate, brave, and troublemaker, and with her two best friends, sweet Quinn and feisty, impossible-not-to-love Folly, they make an irresistible and dynamic trio. And of course, the gruesome, terrifying, vile Bog Noblins make for spectacularly spooky enemies...although, the real villain of the story may just surprise you ;)My Final Thoughts: I enjoyed every moment of this wildly fun adventure-fantasy and cannot wait for book two! The Luck Uglies and Paul Durham are fantastic additions to the world of middle-grade fantasy.

This book offers readers a very complex and capricious story line. It manages to couple just the right amounts of magic, whimsy, action, and suspense that great middle grade books need to both capture and cultivate the imaginations of younger audiences.Rye is a girl who, is in and out of so many adventures, so much of the time, that it is very clear that she is not one to be confined by prescribed limits upon her gender.In fact, she gets so much done in such a gung ho fashion, and proves to be such a great leader that one tends not to see gender at all. The O'Chanter clan is a rather unorthodox one to say the least, and kudos must be given to the fact that much of the mystery and intrigue that occurs in the first half of the book is as a result of Rye's being out to solve mysteries supplied by none other than her mother, one Abbey O'Chanter.If that adventure isn't enough to quench your thirst for adventure, there are a myriad of others.It seems that the dreaded Bog Noblins, (a troll-like creature with a penchant for necklaces made of human feet)have wandered into the town of Drowning. Her mother has brought a strange but very likable man named Harmless home.And...There is talk that the Luck Uglies are coming to regain their former glory as saviors of the town; by banishing the dreaded Bog Noblins forever.That is despite the best efforts of one very tyrannical ruler in the form of Earl Longchance.No adventure would be complete without a host of colorful supporting characters, and intricate settings. This read has both in spades.From the raw and rowdy Dead Fish Inn, to the dark and dank marsh of The Bog. The settings offer just the right backdrop for whatever action is afoot, at just the right time.As far as a cast of characters go...The likes of these can't be beat. Whether it be human, animal, or monster, each adds a flavor or nuance to the overall work that would be sorely missed without it.A most outstanding example of this can be found in Shady, the O'chanters' cat. He proves just as efficient at finding mayhem and mischief as his adventurous mistress, and comes complete with some very surprising secrets of his own.This is the first offering of what this reviewer is sure will be a wonderful series for young and old alike.That perfect new adventure ready to be embarked upon.

"The Luck Uglies", is a fantasy for the child in all of us. Paul Durham's fantastical world has a great young female character, nasty villains, monsters, a little magic, an evil Earl and plenty of secrets and mysteries to discover. It's a perfectly splendid fantasy read.My daughter, who is not even a fantasy fan, loved this book. Most of the characters are not mere stick figures, but fleshed out people. Durham also pulls the reader along as his young character must unravel the mystery of her heritage and defeat a great evil. This is an adventure tale for middle school readers.When we first meet Rye O' Chanter, the young heroic female main character, she and her friends have are on the run on the rooftops of the Village of Drowning because they have stolen a special book, which tells the secret story of Drowning. Durham uses the tales in this book to fill in the back story of the novel. Its a good technique. Rye lives with her mother, sister and cat and a bunch of rules. One of which is never to let the cat our of the house -- maybe there is more to the cat than meets the eye. It is a time of trouble in the village. The evil Earl and his soldiers are flexing their muscle. The soldiers are threatening Rye's mother with special taxes. Then a young Bog Noblin, thought extinct, is captured and imprisoned by the Earl, who thinks he can keep the monster imprisoned. However this Bog Noblin is a mere baby. When the Bog Noblin's relatives come calling, the Earl and his troops will be faced with monsters twice as big and much more ferocious. The townfolk are afraid.When Rye was a young girl, the Bog Noblin attacked Drowning, but the Luck Uglies, a criminal gang fought them off in alliance with the Earl. But the Earl turned on the Luck Uglies and forced them into hiding.Now the peril to the town is dire and one of the Luck Uglies, a man Rye has befriended is in the castle dungeon. Rye must free him, open a secret door to the forest and use her wits and friends to save the town. Paul Durham's best is plenty good for me.

The first book in a trilogy, this fantasy is dark and marvelously filled with monsters. Rye has grown up in the worst part of Village Drowning. Her mother owns a shop in the market section of town where Rye helps out. Together with her two best friends, Rye begins to piece together the story of her family and her father. It all has to do with the monstrous Bog Noblins, creatures that are considered extinct but that Rye is convinced have returned to the village. The problem is that the only people who can defend the village against the monsters are the illegal Luck Uglies, a troupe of villains who had been driven from the village and are considered just as evil as the monsters. But all is not what it seems in Village Drowning as Rye is soon to discover.Durham has crafted a fabulous fantasy for middle-grade readers. The book is filled with moments of real fear and true danger, making it ideal for that age. It also has plenty of humor along the way, usually involving Rye’s friends and family, allowing a lightness in the novel that is very appealing in such a dark novel. Durham has created a world in this book that is unique and fascinating but also pays homage to more traditional tales. This book slips neatly into European tales of monsters and goblins, yet still manages to be telling its own story.Rye is a wonderful heroine. She is bright and inquisitive and immensely brave particularly when someone she loves is in danger. At the same time she is fully human, frightened at times, holding on tight to her own viewpoint, and learning to trust too. She is certainly not without flaws, but she is immensely likeable and exactly the person you want when the Bog Noblins return.Dark, dangerous and delightful, this book is a strong new fantasy series for middle-grade readers. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

This is a great adventure tale, steeped in lore and legend. This was a bedtime read aloud for my 11-year old, and we both really enjoyed it. Here's what I liked about it:**I love Rye, the smart and brave heroine of the story.**I love the dynamic between her and Harmless. The moments between the two of them were some of the best in the book. The epilogue gave this book just the right ending.**It was refreshing to see that many of the characters were not really all good or all bad. It was easy to feel empathy for most of the characters in the book, even some of the really bad ones like Malydia.**I love the gloaming beast Diffrydown! ;-)**I love the unique lore and legends that fill this book and look forward to seeing how these things play out in the next books.**I can't wait to see what happens with Rye, Lolly and Quinn and their "special abilities" in the next two books.We are definitely looking forward to the next two books in the trilogy and would highly recommend this series to tweens who love adventure. A word of warning though...this may not be a good choice for children who are sensitive to violence. There are some gory battle scenes described with the Bog Noblins (Think Lord of the Ring Orcs). In short, the Bog Noblins enjoy devouring humans and wearing necklaces made from their feet. The author doesn't go into too much detail but knowing this certainly increases the level of suspense.4.5/5 stars

The Luck Uglies, by Paul Durham, is a fantasy adventure whipped up and served with charm, humor, and excitement.Rye O’Chanter, an eleven-year-old girl, lives with her family in Drowning, a village ruled by the arrogant and cruel Earl Longchance. But Longchance isn’t the only threat to Drowning. Terrifying monsters known as Bog Noblins are a danger, too, and only The Luck Uglies, a secret society banished from the village, are capable of stopping them.When a Bog Noblin called Leatherleaf ventures into Drowning, villagers are split between wanting The Luck Uglies’ protection and calling on Longchance for his help.Amid the chaos, Rye discovers secrets surrounding the history of Drowning that lead her to believe not everything is as it appears.Even a Luck Ugly.This book was a fun, easy read reminiscent of The Three Musketeers. Durham does a bang-up job with world building. With names like Old Salt Cross, Mud Puddle Lane, and Mutineer’s Alley, readers will be hard-pressed not to be completely immersed in Village Drowning.Durham also introduces a cast of delightfully rounded characters that all have a definitive role throughout the story. Rye is a strong, willful, and vibrant character who carries the adventure over rooftops, through bogs, and into graveyards, never losing our need to know what will happen next.

I won this book in a Goodreads contest. I really thought it was well written and I enjoyed reading. I originally entered the contest expecting my daughter the perfect age for the book would love it. For some reason, the title and cover though I think more the tittle bothered her. I am sure this would have pleased the Earl.I really liked the main character, she was fun. Her family was also enjoyable and I really liked her interaction with Lottie. There is quite a lot going on and multiple bad creatures/villains. I liked Rye's friends, they didn't take up to much of the story but were fun when with Rye.I read the book pretty quick which is more than not a sign I enjoyed it. My only issues would be that I guessed early on many of the things that were to happen, maybe a little to early to enjoy each of these twists. Of course I quite older than the intended audience and at that age they might be less obvious. I felt the book was a good size but possibly the last couple of chapter could have been longer and maybe cutting a little in the beginning if the book was to big. That said I enjoyed the book s good deal and was never bored with the amount of action.

There are books we all hope to find that do more than simply tell a story. These books take us with them. They take us with them on the adventure and we feel like we know the world around us when we go. And these are rare treasures we keep and pass along. Author Paul Durham’s first MG/YA novel, The Luck Uglies, is one of those rare books. An adventure and an introduction to Village Drowning and all its inhabitants, The Luck Uglies has a timeless feel, as if it might just as believably come from the hidden library in a castle as from the work of a modern writer. It is both clever, never underestimating the intelligence of the young reader, and exciting, never forgetting that everyone loves a good adventure. Durham weaves a tale that truly brings you into Rye O’Chanter’s strange and mysterious world. The story makes you wish the book would not end so you can uncover more secrets that promise to be hidden there.

Much lies hidden in Village Drowning: history, identities, legends, secrets. When a brush with a dreaded, beastly foe turns 11 year old Rye O’Chanter’s world upside down, her search for answers catapults her from moonlit rooftops to the darkest of corners. Who can she trust? She soon learns that words and deeds are tricky things, indeed, that villains and heroes aren't always what they seem, and that help can come from some very surprising sources. She’ll need every ounce of wit and bravery she possesses - along with Folly, Fair Warning, Nightshade, and The House Rules – to uncover the truth. Don’t miss this stunning debut, the first book in a middle grade fantasy/adventure trilogy. Smart prose that flows, friendship, humor, magic, spectacular feats of derring-do, and lots of heart…THIS STORY'S GOT IT ALL, FOLKS!

This is by far one of the most delightful books I have ever read. The characters are charming, the story draws you in. The plot is well thought out and delivered in a manner that keeps the pages turning. I found myself reading into the wee hours of the night just to see what happens next. In the simplest terms, I loved this book. Yes, the main character is an eleven year old child but that does not limit this book to the realm of children's reading any more than Oliver Twist is limited to children because of the age of its hero. I cannot wait for the second book to be released. I have already pre-ordered my copy.